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NTSB Report

March 30, 2002 · Piper J3F-65 · N40770

Parker, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 30, 2002
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Parker, AZ
Aircraft
Piper J3F-65
Tail Number
N40770
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX02FA120

The airplane collided with the ground following a loss of control in the takeoff initial climb and was destroyed in a ground fire about 300 yards north of the departure end of the runway. The student was receiving instruction by the certified flight instructor (CFI). Just after liftoff, the airplane assumed a nose high stall attitude and began "wallowing" with the wings rocking back and forth. The airplane never attained more than 70 feet off the ground as it flew past the departure end of runway, and, while still "wallowing," began a right crosswind turn. The right wingtip contacted the ground and the airplane cartwheeled to a stop and then caught fire. In a post accident examination, no mechanical anomalies were discovered with either the airframe systems or engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the student to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed following liftoff, which resulted in a stall/mush condition. Also causal was the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight and failure to take timely remedial actions. .

Full Narrative

On March 30, 2002, at 1600 mountain standard time, a Piper J3F-65, N40770, failed to gain altitude and dragged a wing in the takeoff initial climb from Avi Suquilla Airport (P20), Parker, Arizona. The airplane collided with the ground and was destroyed in a ground fire about 300 yards north of the departure end of runway 1. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot/owner, who held airline transport pilot (ATP) and certified flight instructor (CFI) certificates, sustained fatal injuries; the student incurred serious injuries. The student later succumbed to her injuries on May 20, 2002. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area instructional flight that was originating at the time of the accident. Five airport workers in the airport office observed the sequence of events. They reported that just after liftoff, the airplane assumed a nose high stall attitude and began "wallowing" with the wings rocking back and forth. The airplane never attained more than 70 feet off the ground as it flew past the departure end of runway 1, and, while still "wallowing," began a right crosswind turn. The right wingtip contacted the ground and the airplane cartwheeled to a stop and then caught fire. They immediately responded to the crash site and reported the student continually repeated, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it." The witnesses reported that earlier in the day they had stopped by the CFI's hangar and spoke briefly with him and the student. The student was introduced as the CFI's daughter, and was receiving instruction in the airplane. The CFI was described as very proud of the airplane, which he had completely restored to its 1941 factory delivery condition. The workers saw the CFI do a very thorough preflight inspection and said that he used aviation fuel in the airplane. On April 4, 2002, investigators from the Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), The New Piper Aircraft, and Teledyne Continental Motors examined the wreckage that had been relocated to a hanger. The airplane had sustained post impact fire damage. This damage consumed most of the exterior fabric, except for the left wing and left horizontal surface. The left wing remained attached to the fuselage; the right wing separated from the fuselage at the root. Control continuity was established to ailerons, rudder, and elevator, through cables. The fuselage frame remained mostly intact. All cockpit instruments were destroyed by fire. The seat cushions and seat belts were consumed by fire. The engine remained attached to the mount, which had partially separated from the fuselage. Compression was produced in all four cylinders, and valve and gear train continuity was established. Due to extensive heat damage, the carburetor and magnetos were not tested. The wooden propeller was still attached at its mounting point and the blades were splintered from ground impact. No preimpact anomalies were noted with either the engine or propeller. A toxicological test on samples from the flight instructor was performed by the FAA's Civil Aeromedical's Institute (CAMI) Forensic Toxicological and Accident Research Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with negative results for alcohol and all screened drug substances.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 MST
Nearest AirportPARKER (0nm)
Runway1
Runway Length4780 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J3F-65
Tail NumberN40770
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A&C 65 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 63 · First Class · Fatal
Crew 2Age 32 · Third Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter29.82 inHg
Observation Time23:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data